GALA Fairydean Rovers Women’s Section, which provides access to the sport for players from the age of five, has received funding from Barclay’s Football Foundation as it prepares to kick off the new season at Netherdale on September 4.
The club offers women and girls the opportunity to train and play matches every Monday with P1-P3 training taking place from 4.30-5.30pm, P4-P7 from 5-6pm and women’s training from 7.30 – 9pm each week.
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The girls team took part in the recent ‘Festival of Football’ held at the club’s Netherdale stadium which saw teams from across the Borders pitting their skills against one another in a series of matches.
The event underlined the growing local popularity of the sport which has just been showcased in front of tens of millions across then world at the World Cup Finals held in Australia and New Zealand.
The Barclays Community Football Fund offers grants, training and support resources to help reduce inequalities in the participation of football and the Fund is managed by Sported the largest network on community sports clubs in the UK. It has supported over 1,800 community sports groups across the UK make football more accessible with over 250,000 young people benefitting.
The funding will help more women and girls participate in football in Galashiels and GFR are determined to grow the numbers of players and provide increased opportunities for developing skills and playing competitive matches.
Gala Fairydean Rovers FC Girls Coach Debi Ritchie said: ‘At a time of unparalleled interest in women’s football we are delighted to receive support from Barclays Community Football Fund, being delivered in partnership with Sported, to develop the game here in Galashiels.
“Our young team greatly enjoyed the Festival of Football and we are determined to provide them with more opportunities this year to play matches and develop their skills.
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“The recent exploits of the Scottish National Team have inspired a generation of young girls to take up the sport and the phenomenal success of the World Cup can only be good for its continued growth.
“ Last season we had a visit from Kim Little, one of the world’s best players to inspire and encourage our players and we want women and girls of all ages and abilities to know they are welcome at the club.
“As well as playing we can always use coaches and parent helpers to help the club grow and anyone who wants to get involved can drop us a line through any of our social media channels.”
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